CHAPTER XV
THE THIRD BOLT
The bolt pulls out of the curbstone with exasperating slowness, producing a fine concrete dust that the breeze promptly disperses, as the fireman gazes at it, helpless and incredulous. He stares at the bolt and continues to wonder how something like that can happen. He is so stunned that the idea of shouting at Franco to immediately get down off the railing doesn’t even remotely cross his mind.
To the man’s immense relief, the ladder finally begins to move. It travels the last interminable decimeters that separate him from Franco, who still has his back to him as he continues to stare at Sissi with a befuddled air, his lips trembling.
The firefighter is already holding out his arms, wanting to take advantage of that moment of distraction to immobilize hi
